DeGeneres Gives $10k To Waitress Who Paid Bill

A waitress who picked up the lunch bill of two National Guard soldiers has been repaid more than 300 times over by TV star Ellen DeGeneres.

Sarah Hoidahl was working at a restaurant in Concord, New Hampshire, when the two women troops sat in her section for a meal, Fox News reported.

The 21-year-old single mother, who apparently has friends in the military, heard them discussing the government shutdown and mention they were not getting paid.

After they had finished their lunch, instead of delivering the soldiers a cheque, she sent them a note.

It read: "Thanks to the government shutdown the people like you that protect this country are not getting paid, however I still am.

"Lunch is on me thank you for serving ladies! Have a good day!"

The bill cost her $27.75.

DeGeneres learned about the act of kindness after the New Hampshire National Guard posted a picture on its Facebook page. She then invited the waitress on to her show.

She gave her the $27 back in cash - as well as a cheque for $10,000 (£6,000) and a 50-inch television.

An emotional Ms Hoidahl buried her face in her hands and thanked DeGeneres as the talk show host repeated: "You're a good person."